đ Share this article Astronaut Discloses Mental Health Struggle In the Wake of Wave of Backlash After Historic Trip Amanda Nguyen, a women's health researcher, was onboard the New Shepard NS-31 rocket in Spring 2025. A pioneering space traveler has opened up regarding her struggle with mental health after being subjected to a âtsunami of harassmentâ in the wake of a historic all-female space mission. Amanda Nguyen â celebrated as a researcher and activist â was part of the short-duration mission in April, which also included well-known figures. The high-profile flight was met with derision by some, who questioned its cost and environmental footprint. Reflecting on the ordeal, the astronaut, who was celebrated as the pioneer for her community, stated the negative reaction eclipsed her moment under an âavalanche of misogynyâ. âI said the emotional pain might endure for years,â Ms. Nguyen stated in a online statement, describing a supportive conversation from a fellow crew member in the aftermath of the landing. She described the news reports and online discourse as an âonslaught no human brain has evolved to endureâ. âI did not leave Texas for a week, unable to get out of bed,â she confessed. âEven a month on, a phone call ended with me hanging up, weeping uncontrollably.â Overshadowed by Sexism Ms. Nguyen, who has dedicated her work to female health science and operated research during the mission, said all her lifelong efforts â from her studies and astronaut training to the historic significance of her heritage â was buried under the deluge of misogyny. She is widely recognized for her groundbreaking advocacy championing the cause of sexual assault survivors. Her own aspiration for spaceflight was deferred after surviving a rape during her time as a student, leading to a long campaign for accountability. A Path to Recovery Months following fulfilling her dream, she noted the âfog of grief has started to liftâ, and she expressed gratitude the followers whose messages of encouragement were her lifeline. âYour support rescued me,â she affirmed. She noted that even with the backlash, considerable good had emerged from the flight, including elevated attention for her scientific work and platforms for her activism. About the Mission The computer-piloted spacecraft lifted off from its launch site in the spring, carrying the six-woman crew on a 11-minute journey that crossed the edge of space. The diverse crew also included experts in multiple disciplines. The company behind the flight is a commercial aerospace company founded by a prominent billionaire entrepreneur.
Amanda Nguyen, a women's health researcher, was onboard the New Shepard NS-31 rocket in Spring 2025. A pioneering space traveler has opened up regarding her struggle with mental health after being subjected to a âtsunami of harassmentâ in the wake of a historic all-female space mission. Amanda Nguyen â celebrated as a researcher and activist â was part of the short-duration mission in April, which also included well-known figures. The high-profile flight was met with derision by some, who questioned its cost and environmental footprint. Reflecting on the ordeal, the astronaut, who was celebrated as the pioneer for her community, stated the negative reaction eclipsed her moment under an âavalanche of misogynyâ. âI said the emotional pain might endure for years,â Ms. Nguyen stated in a online statement, describing a supportive conversation from a fellow crew member in the aftermath of the landing. She described the news reports and online discourse as an âonslaught no human brain has evolved to endureâ. âI did not leave Texas for a week, unable to get out of bed,â she confessed. âEven a month on, a phone call ended with me hanging up, weeping uncontrollably.â Overshadowed by Sexism Ms. Nguyen, who has dedicated her work to female health science and operated research during the mission, said all her lifelong efforts â from her studies and astronaut training to the historic significance of her heritage â was buried under the deluge of misogyny. She is widely recognized for her groundbreaking advocacy championing the cause of sexual assault survivors. Her own aspiration for spaceflight was deferred after surviving a rape during her time as a student, leading to a long campaign for accountability. A Path to Recovery Months following fulfilling her dream, she noted the âfog of grief has started to liftâ, and she expressed gratitude the followers whose messages of encouragement were her lifeline. âYour support rescued me,â she affirmed. She noted that even with the backlash, considerable good had emerged from the flight, including elevated attention for her scientific work and platforms for her activism. About the Mission The computer-piloted spacecraft lifted off from its launch site in the spring, carrying the six-woman crew on a 11-minute journey that crossed the edge of space. The diverse crew also included experts in multiple disciplines. The company behind the flight is a commercial aerospace company founded by a prominent billionaire entrepreneur.